Category Archives: Anj writes about…

All of those things about life & relationships that don’t fit into the other categories…I’ve gotta get these stories down somewhere!

A New Year, a new way

So, as many of us prepare our New Year’s Resolutions (and I was right on board as I am every year, glutton for punishment that I am), I serendipitously found myself reading a blog post from 2008.

 

 

 

 

A couple of years ago I was lucky enough to win a copy of Gretchen Rubin’s best selling book, The Happiness Project, in which she documents her year-long adventures in trying out different ways to find happiness.

And so fast forward to yesterday when I stumbled on a blog post she wrote that is a twist on our normal resolutions. And since I wanted to forge a new new NEW path this year, I decided I would start with her idea for Twelve Commandments – read her post, and see if you are as inspired as I was…

My Twelve Commandments

  1. Be Anjanette
  2. Relax & breathe
  3. Find the fun
  4. Be grateful
  5. Live & love with my whole heart
  6. Recognise opportunity
  7. Live in the now
  8. Accept love
  9. Let go of guilt & obligation
  10. Be kind, first to myself
  11. Under-think, not over-think
  12. Go with my gut

Rather than set myself up for failure with, let’s face it, impossibly huge tasks  like “Eat clean” and “Exercise every day”, I wanted to put something down that would speak more to me as a person. I wanted something that I could take to remind myself each day to truly live authentically. This hit the spot…

I’ll be working through the book, on this and other projects that take my fancy throughout the year…care to join me?

 

 

A girl and her shoes

So the romance between a girl and her shoes is not a new story.

But despite my obsession with looking at beautiful shoes, my budget does not normally stretch to allow me to own the shoes I most covet.

Enter the fabulous website StylingYou and a very generous giveaway from Habbot Studios

When I got notice I’d won one of the two pairs of gorgeous handmade Italian leather shoes I whooped so loudly that I frightened the people working in the office next door! NEVER have I owned a pair of shoes as beautiful, as comfortable or as well-made.

Annie at Habbot Studios was not only generous in her giveaway, but epitomizes everything that is good customer service: friendly, quick and that extra special personal touch.

When my shoes arrived, I immediately slipped them on…and again said thanks for my incredible luck.

If you are looking for a pair of shoes that don’t just look good, but will last and last, your money would be well-spent at Habbot Studios. You’ll thank me…

Oh, and that’s me attempting colour-blocking with my new shoes… I happened to wear this outfit to watch the France v Wales match, so I guess I was barracking for France!

Winning

The Universe abhors a vacuum. Or so they say.

And though I can’t tell you for sure who ‘they’ are, I can say that whilst certain things haven’t been super-shiny-happy in my life this year, other things have been abso-fabu-lutely wonderful.

I keep winning things!

Now before you knock down my door trying to join some Lotto syndicate with me, I’ll admit it’s not really big stuff. It’s just great stuff. And it’s consistent.

I have won things a varied as a Blurb book, multiple movie passes, DVDs, books a mini-trampoline and a Zhu Zhu pet!

One of my latest wins was the first giveaway sponsored on The Scribble Den and I was SO excited to win the most beautiful pair of vintage earrings. Not only am I a fan of jewellery (um, of course!), but I love it when local and home-based artisans are supported.

Melanie Hay of Hay Creations designs and hand-creates some stunning pieces – using both gold and silver they are often one-of-a-kind glamorous and vintage-inspired wearable art.

I was fortunate enough to receive this pair of Amelia Earrings

 

 

 

 

If you are looking for a special gift for someone (or yourself!) – a birthday or to get a head-start on Christmas shopping, take a look at Melanie’s beautiful range. I’m going back to get myself a matching pendant….wouldn’t you? ;)